Moody’s Downgrades Academy’s Debt Ratings

The downgrade of the term loan reflects the company’s lower estimated recovery rate as a result of the recent asset-based revolver upsize. At the same time, the affirmation of the CFR and PDR reflects Moody’s view that while leverage is likely to remain elevated, Academy’s good liquidity provides the company with flexibility to turn around its operating performance.

Elevator Group Merges With True North Brand Group

Elevator Group, a strategic and creative agency known for launching brands and product lines. and True North Brand Group Inc., specializing in launching products, brand awareness and measurement, are merging to form Elevator North.

Former GoPro COO Joins Tech Start-Up

Tile, a startup that makes an app and devices to help keep track of the location of things, appointed CJ Prober, former COO of GoPro, as the company’s new chief executive officer.

Stifel’s Inaugural Athletic Survey Shows Positive Spending Intentions

Stifel’s inaugural Athletic Apparel and Footwear Consumer Survey points to higher spending intentions for both athletic apparel and footwear in the next six months. Nike not surprisingly ranked as the preferred athletic brand across footwear and apparel categories but Under Armour, Adidas, Champion, New Balance, Vans, The North Face and Skechers are all resonating with key constituencies.

Retail Reports Roundup

Studies arrived last week including Nike dominating apparel brands’ preferences, mixed views on social commerce, AI benefits to supply-chain efficiency, wide-ranging checkout opportunities and free delivery’s expanding appeal as well as another merry holiday forecast.

Peak Resorts To Acquire Snow Time For $76 Million

Peak Resorts Inc., which owns and operates 14 branded U.S. ski resorts, announced Monday that the company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Snow Time Inc. for $76 million. Snow Time owns and operates three ski resorts in Pennsylvania: Liberty Mountain Resort, Whitetail Resort and Roundtop Mountain Resort.

Farfetch Soars In IPO Debut

Shares of Farfetch, the London-based luxury online marketplace, jumped more than 50 percent in the company’s initial public offering debut Friday.

Asics Funds Five Startups Under Tenkan-Ten Inititiatve

Asics announced five start-ups to benefit from Tenkan-Ten, the growth catalyst program for businesses disrupting the sports and wellbeing sector. It is a part of the company’s recently launched new business and innovations division.

New Balance Donates To UMass Boston

The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees unanimously approved the creation of the Dr. J. Keith Motley Chair for Sports Leadership & Administration at UMass Boston. The chair will head a new sports management and leadership Bachelor of Arts program enabled by a $5 million pledge, the largest in UMass Boston history, from Boston-based New Balance.